Friends and strangers alike came out by the hundreds on Monday to honor Air Force Staff Sgt. Joseph Weems, a 2005 Byron Center High School graduate who was killed in a bicycle-train accident near Ramstein Air Base in Kaiserslautern, Germany on May 14.

At right, Gavin Ayers, 16 months, and his grandfather, Gary Fennema, both of Byron Center, wait along 84th Street for the motorcade carrying the body of SSgt Weems to Cook Funeral Home.

Below, citizens line up along the motorcade route to show their support.

Weems, 24, was just days away from ending his military career when the accident occurred.

JEFF SWAINSTON

His funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Cornerstone Church, 1675 84th St. SE. Visitation will
be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9
p.m. on Thursday at Cook Funeral Home, 2067 84th St. SW.